Eastbound with Pastys: Day 7

Yep, pastys. As in “pasty” the staple of Cornwall miners way, way back in the day. Turns out they are a thing on the Upper Peninsula (also known as the UP and the residents as Yoopers), so I did my research and mapped out a few spots. Then the woman at the gas station this morning told me to go to Randall Bakery in Wakefield instead of the place in Ironwood I had picked, so I followed the local’s advice. After all we were buds after talking about how my WA state license plate reminds her that her daughter and husband live in Bremerton, which is just across the water from me. It was kind of like that all day, friendly people every time I stopped. I could get to like this place!

Don’t laugh at the sausage pizza pasty, that one was a thing of beauty. Half for lunch and I just had the second half, still slightly warm, for dinner. Man, it was good both times!

I also visited the world’s largest pasty, which is unfortunately not real, just a billboard. But the Pasty Man is right next to it and he was definitely a character. Just wished my selfie skills were better because none of my attempts actually showed both me and him.

The UP was a lot of things: old rusted out cars and broken down buildings, businesses gone bust, windy weather and brilliant blue skies. I definitely want to come back here for a longer time to poke around and take photos. For today, here are the three that capture what I saw.

Small town America: towns with one stoplight, or just a wide spot in the road, all had a little Main Street bit like this.This red lighthouse was boxy, but from a distance, looks much better!Lakes all over, all day, ending with Lake Michigan on the way to the Mackinaw Bridge.

Tonight, I sit looking out my hotel window at Lake Huron (my third Great Lake in 2 days) and also looking at the first photo of my baby, #821, the reason for this whole expedition.

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Anne-
We are driving up through Harbor Springs Mi. (I spent a summer there at age 25) — and up through the UP on our way to visit my sister and family in Wisc. Thinking of camping in Escanaba area on Lake (looks like you stayed there) -how does it look for an overnight? How long did it take you to drive from there to Mackinaw? Picking up NO. 801 at Can Am on May 24th. Looking forward to your return trip –as we will be doing the same except ending up in Carmel instead of Seattle.
Tom & Paula Knight

Hi, Tom! Escanaba area is pretty nice, big enough to support several campsites, most marked off the highway I was driving. I didn’t stop overnight there. From Escanaba to Mackinaw wasn’t long, maybe just under 3 hours. Also lots of stores selling those excellent pasties along this road 🙂

Where in WI will you be? My route home is UP top end (McLain Park on the Keweenaw peninsula), then down to Osceola, where I have family.

Barb’s mom was a Yooper. We love pasties. Glad you got to meet so many of the friendly Midwest folks. I love it here because everyone is so friendly and willing to strike up a conversation at the drop of a hat. Love the shot of the Breeze. Continued good times on your journey to meet your new home.